August 
Taiwan’s president warns Chinese aggression would directly affect the United States.
Taiwan’s president warns Chinese aggression would directly affect the United States.
A bold statement from Taiwan’s president
Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te said U.S. President Donald Trump should be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize if he can persuade China’s Xi Jinping to abandon military action against Taiwan.
Lai made the remarks in an interview with The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show, a popular conservative U.S. radio program.
Taiwan’s faith in U.S. backing
Lai emphasized that the United States remains Taiwan’s most crucial international supporter, even without formal diplomatic ties.
Since returning to office earlier this year, Trump has not announced any new arms sales to Taiwan, but Taipei continues to view Washington as its strongest security partner.
Trump–Xi meeting on the horizon
Trump is expected to meet Xi Jinping at a gathering of Asia-Pacific leaders in South Korea later this month.
Lai referenced Trump’s earlier claim that Xi told him China would not invade Taiwan while Trump was in office — a statement that has drawn both skepticism and attention in diplomatic circles.
Hope for Trump’s continued support
Lai expressed hope for Trump’s continued support, saying, “Should President Trump persuade Xi Jinping to permanently abandon any military aggression against Taiwan, President Trump would undoubtedly be a Nobel Peace Prize laureate.”
Trump has repeatedly said he deserves the award, noting that four of his predecessors have received it.
Warning about China’s military expansion
Asked what he would tell Trump directly, Lai said he would urge him to focus on Xi’s growing military activities.
He cited China’s increasingly large-scale exercises in the Taiwan Strait and the buildup of forces in both the East and South China Seas as signs of Beijing’s rising aggression.
New Chinese maneuvers near Taiwan
Just hours after Lai’s interview transcript was released, Taiwan’s defense ministry reported a surge in Chinese military activity — 23 aircraft and drones joined warships in a patrol encircling the island.
It was the latest in a pattern of intimidation that has become routine for Taipei.
Beyond Taiwan: a global challenge
Lai warned that China’s ambitions extend beyond Taiwan’s borders. “Once Taiwan is annexed, China will gain greater strength to compete with the United States on the international stage, undermining the rules-based order,”
Lai warned that, in the end, it will directly affect the United States if that happens.
Strengthening Taiwan’s defenses
While direct talks between Taiwanese and U.S. president remain off-limits, Lai said Taiwan is committed to self-defense.
His government aims to raise defense spending to 5% of GDP by 2030. “Taiwan is absolutely determined to safeguard its national security,” Lai said, rejecting Beijing’s sovereignty claims and affirming that only Taiwan’s people can decide their future.
This article is made and published by auk1, which may have used AI in the preparation
